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Justice Minister Helen McEntee has insisted that it is appropriate for the GAA inter-county season to resume this weekend, but has asked fans to watch the games from their own home.
Helen McEntee’s comments come amid mixed opinions within the GAA about the resumption of inter-county action this weekend, along with rising levels of coronavirus and additional restrictions.
However, Ms McEntee, niece of Meath football coach Andy McEntee, indicated that the government would eliminate delayed championships if public health guidelines are ignored.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that the soccer and hurling championships will be canceled if the country goes to level 5 of coronavirus restrictions.
Varadkar’s comments contradict an earlier assurance from the medical director, Dr. Tony Holohan, that the GAA’s top competitions would continue even if the country adopts the most severe restrictions.
The Fine Gael frontman told Today FM it was “feasible” for inter-county play to return, something Ms. McEntee echoed.
“I think if it is done correctly it may be appropriate, but if it is not done correctly then I have no qualms in saying it should stop. I think it can be done correctly,” Ms McEntee said when asked whether to organize the games. was ‘reckless’ on RTÉ’s Drivetime.
“I think it can move on. There are people who come from all over the county to come together to play another team, in the same way that we have students who go to school every day traveling around the county.
“There are strict guidelines and rules that people have to follow. Sport is a really important part of people’s lives, not just playing it, but watching it.”
The Fine Gael TD called on supporters to follow public health rules after concerns about the number of Covid-19 cases related to post-club final celebrations in various counties.
“What I would not accept and I think we must be very honest about what happened in the last few weeks, is what happens before or after games,” he added.
“Unfortunately, what we have seen happen before and after the games has contributed to the numbers increasing in recent times. I support the games that are going ahead, but they must go ahead behind closed doors and I think the GAA must make sure that absolutely everyone respects the guideline and protects and maintains people
“ The most important thing is that I would ask anyone if there are games this weekend, that they do not meet at other people’s houses, that they do not try to travel to the games where they are happening. We’ve seen it happen and I understand it, but people can watch it from home or hear it on the radio. ”
Meanwhile, Carlow’s football manager Niall Carew has echoed calls for National League games to be played in neutral venues, amid concerns about county panels traveling long distances across the country. country when people are asked to restrict their movements and, in some cases, to enter Covid. Hot spots.
“If he eliminated long-distance travel, then yeah, that’s a great idea,” Carew said when asked if he agreed with Laois manager Mike Quirke’s suggestions that it should be organized in neutral settings.
Carew, who begins his career at Carlow with a Division 4 meeting against his former team, Sligo, on Saturday, feels the championships should go ahead to give a boost to national morale.
“For everyone’s mental health, it is something to look forward to and it will make winter shorter,” he said.
“To be fair to the GAA, everything is in place. There are risks with everything you do in life, and this is a big risk as we don’t care much, but it’s good for everyone to go out and for the younger ones and the older generation to have something to look forward to over the weekend, “Carew told Drivetime.
Players have expressed differing views on the return to the game, with the Gaelic Players Association colliding the results of a nationwide survey of its members on the planned restart.
Former Kerry All-Ireland winning captain Darran O’Sullivan told Drivetime that some players may be afraid to speak up if they have coronavirus-related concerns for fear of jeopardizing their inter-county future.
However, all-Ireland winning Dublin footballer Niamh Collins says players who do not wish to play should be given assurances that their actions in 2020 will not affect their inter-county careers.
“It should be up to each individual to make the decision about whether or not they feel comfortable to play; I don’t think you should have ill will towards any player if they don’t want to,” he told RTÉ Radio.
The Foxrock-Cabinteely advocate says she’s looking forward to putting the Dublin jersey back on, but acknowledged that some people may be eager to bring the virus to an elderly or vulnerable family member.
“There should be a provision made this year to ensure that no one this year is adversely affected if they decide to walk away from the panel this year,” he said.
“It should go further: no adversity for any player who decides this year was not for them, for their own safety, for the safety of the people they love, or just in general, if they don’t feel comfortable playing.
“It should be very clear: they should not feel any negative effects from that choice.”
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